Iona College swimming and diving head coach Nick Cavataro has announced today the hiring of Chris Brandenberger as his new assistant coach beginning this fall.

Brandenberger joins the Iona College community after spending the past two seasons as assistant swimming coach at Washington College in Chestertown, MD. He brings Division I experience to Iona as he competed as a four-year varsity letter winner at the University of Maryland from 2002 to 2006. Brandenberger was named to the First Team All-ACC in 2004 and an ACC Finalist from 2002 to 2005. He is the school record-holder in the 800 freestyle relay. He was a two-time team captain as voted by his teammates and coaches for strong commitment to teamwork and leadership. He received the Dave Diehl Dedication Award Recipient in 2004, which was voted by the coaching staff for most dedicated member of the team. He received his BA in English Language and Literature from Maryland in 2006.

Some of his prior coaching experience includes serving as Volunteer Assistant Swim Coach at Maryland while completing his undergraduate degree. He also coached over 100 swimmers on the North Creek Neptunes summer league team, ages 5-18 and coached YMCA Regional and National qualifiers on the senior team at the Upper Montgomery County YMCA.

Brandenberger joins Cavataro as his lead assistant in addition to assistant Brian Hansbury and diving coach Rob Parrinelli. Hansbury will also focus his efforts on the GAEL Aquatic Club.